Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy is a cutting-edge procedure that is revolutionizing the field of orthopedic medicine. PRP therapy is a new treatment that promotes long lasting healing of musculoskeletal conditions. PRP Therapy uses components of the body’s own blood cells to formulate a customized “cocktail” that stimulates the natural healing process in certain orthopedic conditions.
The body’s first response to any soft tissue injury is to deliver platelet cells. Associated with growth factors, platelets jump start the repair process and attract stem cells. PRP therapy’s natural healing process magnifies the body’s efforts by delivering a higher concentration of platelets through a simple injection.
PRP therapy is associated with reduction in pain and faster healing, and has lower risks and lower costs than surgery.
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Platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a rapidly emerging technique that is showing exciting potential with osteoarthritis of the knee, shoulder, hip and spine. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative bone disease causing loss of mobility, chronic pain and stiffness and can be quite debilitating for more than 21 million Americans. PRP Therapy is also showing promising results in rotator cuff tears, chronic plantar fasciitis, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, tennis elbow, ankle sprains, tendonitis, and ligament sprains.
A main benefit of PRP Therapy is that it enhances healing and can eliminate the need for surgery and prolonged recovery. It may also be used as a treatment for some people that are not candidates for surgery. PRP Therapy is a low-risk non-invasive procedure. It uses the body’s own cells and natural biological healing process. The concentrated platelet rich plasma (PRP) that is injected into and around the point of injury jump-starts and significantly strengthens the body’s natural healing process. Recovery with PRP therapy is much faster than with surgery, often by many months. Because your own blood is used, there is no risk of transmitting infection and a very low risk of allergic reaction.
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PRP Injections are a much simpler procedure than surgery. They are short outpatient procedures. To complete PRP therapy, some of your blood is drawn and the blood is then spun at high speeds, separating the platelets from the other components. The concentrated platelet rich plasma (PRP) is then injected into and around the point of injury. No stitches are necessary since just a needle is used.
The procedure takes less than an hour, including preparation and recovery time. Performed safely in the office, PRP therapy relieves pain without the risks of surgery, anesthesia, or hospital stays and without a prolonged recovery. In fact, most people return to their jobs or usual activities soon after the procedure.
Up to three injections may be given within a six-month time frame, usually performed two to three weeks apart. You may, however, gain considerable to complete relief after the first or second injection.
The goal of PRP therapy is to resolve pain through healing. Initial improvement may be seen within a few weeks, gradually increasing as the healing progresses. Research studies have shown PRP therapy to be effective at relieving pain and returning patients to their normal activities. Both ultrasound and MRI images have shown definitive tissue repair after PRP therapy, confirming the healing process. The need for surgery can also be greatly reduced by treating injured tissues before the damage progresses and the condition is irreversible.
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Recent news headlines have featured the great results that professional athletes have experienced with PRP Therapy. Pro football players Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers received PRP Therapy after injuries that should have side-lined them for months and returned to play in a matter of weeks-- winning the Super Bowl. Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Takashi Saito received PRP Therapy for an elbow condition and returned to play in just a few months, versus up to 14 months that recovery from surgery would have taken. Unprecedented results have also been reported for other professional soccer, baseball, and football players. While PRP Therapy is just beginning to become mainstream news, it actually has been around for quite some time.
Although PRP Therapy is relatively new to the field of orthopedics, it has been used for more than 20 years in dentistry. PRP Therapy has been used to promote healing following jaw reconstruction for patients with cancer. Its use has expanded to other medical specialties, including cardiovascular surgery, sports medicine, urology, cosmetic surgery, dentistry, and ophthalmology. Studies show that recovery time is quick and the risks are low with PRP Therapy. Researchers are now focused on its use in musculoskeletal injuries.
In the field of orthopedics, PRP Therapy has been studied for use in the joints, spine, bone, and tendons. Because the studies have used a small number of participants, larger studies are necessary before the results can be generalized. Researchers are optimistic that after future studies, insurance will cover the procedure, and speculate that the procedure may become standard before surgical treatment for many problems.
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